China will gradually raise the statutory retirement age starting Jan. 1, 2025, the country’s top legislative body announced Friday, marking the first change to the policy since the 1950s.

Over the next 15 years, the retirement age for men will gradually rise from 60 to 63. Women cadres will see their retirement age increase from 55 to 58, while women in blue-collar jobs will see an adjustment from 50 to 55.

The decision comes as China grapples with a rapidly aging working and declining birth rates. Despite scrapping the one-child policy in 2016 and introducing measures to encourage marriage and larger families, the country recorded its lowest-ever number of newborns in 2023. This demographic shift has intensified concerns about the shrinking labor force and the sustainability of the pension system.

Shortly after the official announcement, the topic surged to the top of the trending list on China’s popular microblogging platform Weibo, igniting widespread public discussion over the policy shift.

Announcing the move, the standing committee of the National People’s Congress — China’s top legislature — explained that the gradual extension of the statutory retirement age will follow the principles of “small-step adjustment, flexible implementation, and overall planning.”

According to state news agency Xinhua, beginning 2030, the minimum number of years required to receive pensions will gradually increase from 15 to 20 years.

Workers will also be allowed to voluntarily retire three years earlier after meeting the minimum pension contribution period, though not earlier than the previous statutory age.

Authorities underscored that the plan passed on Friday was based on a comprehensive assessment of factors such as life expectancy, health conditions, population structure, education levels and workforce supply in China.

According to the National Health Commission, the average life expectancy reached a record high of 78.6 years in 2023. Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs show that people aged 60 and above, now make up more than 20% of the total population.

Additionally, the country’s overall educational level has also risen to match that of upper-middle-income countries, according to Education Minister Huai Jinpeng.

(Header image: VCG)